The bill would send millions to Louisiana and other Gulf states.

Published: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 6:09 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 6:09 p.m.

Local environmental activists and officials say Congress should quickly approve a bill that would dedicate billions of dollars in BP oil-spill fines toward coastal restoration and economic recovery.

That means Louisiana could receive millions of dollars for coastal-restoration projects if both chambers pass the measure, which has bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate.

The bill, sponsored by U.S. Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and David Vitter, R-La., received approval Wednesday from the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, a key move that precedes passage in both chambers.

Luke Bolar, Vitter’s spokesman, said it’s now up to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to schedule a Senate vote.

“It’s not over,” said Chris Pulaski, a local organizer for the National Wildlife Federation. “Congress needs to pass the bill this year.”

BP, which owned the well and was leasing the rig that exploded April 20, faces penalties of up $1,100 for each barrel of oil spilled or $4,300 per barrel if found guilty of gross negligence or willful misconduct. Based on the estimated 4.9 million barrels released, BP could face civil fines of $5.4 billion to $21.1 billion.

Unless Congress dedicates the money, it goes to the U.S. treasury.

“Our communities were the ones that were affected,” said Sharon Gauthe, director of BISCO, a church-based nonprofit in Thibodaux. “We’re hoping and praying it will be used to assist the areas that had the most damage.”

The Senate bill would divide 35 percent of the fines equally among Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. Sixty percent would go to a Gulf Coast Restoration Council, created by Congress, which would allocate it to repairing or offsetting the spill’s direct impact. The remaining 5 percent would go to Gulf Coast research.

“By directing BP-penalty money back to the states that are dealing with the cleanup and restoration from this devastating spill, we help ensure that the Gulf Coast continues to thrive for decades to come,” Landrieu said in a prepared statement.

She urged the Senate to consider the bill “as soon as possible.”

U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry, a Republican who represents the Houma-Thibodaux area, co-sponsored a similar bill in the House that U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Metairie, filed earlier this year.

Landry said Wednesday’s committee vote is a “great step in advancing much-needed coastal restoration for Louisiana.”

“It’s common sense to allocate BP’s penalties to help our environment and our economy recover,” he said. “I will continue to do all I can to advance this legislation in the House.”

Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph said the legislation has long way to go before the region can declare victory but said Wednesday’s committee vote is a good start.

Staff Writer Nate Monroe can be reached at 448-7639 or at nate.monroe@dailycomet.com.

<p>Local environmental activists and officials say Congress should quickly approve a bill that would dedicate billions of dollars in BP oil-spill fines toward coastal restoration and economic recovery.</p><p>That means Louisiana could receive millions of dollars for coastal-restoration projects if both chambers pass the measure, which has bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate.</p><p>The bill, sponsored by U.S. Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and David Vitter, R-La., received approval Wednesday from the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, a key move that precedes passage in both chambers.</p><p>Luke Bolar, Vitter's spokesman, said it's now up to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to schedule a Senate vote.</p><p>“It's not over,” said Chris Pulaski, a local organizer for the National Wildlife Federation. “Congress needs to pass the bill this year.”</p><p>BP, which owned the well and was leasing the rig that exploded April 20, faces penalties of up $1,100 for each barrel of oil spilled or $4,300 per barrel if found guilty of gross negligence or willful misconduct. Based on the estimated 4.9 million barrels released, BP could face civil fines of $5.4 billion to $21.1 billion.</p><p>Unless Congress dedicates the money, it goes to the U.S. treasury.</p><p>“Our communities were the ones that were affected,” said Sharon Gauthe, director of BISCO, a church-based nonprofit in Thibodaux. “We're hoping and praying it will be used to assist the areas that had the most damage.”</p><p>The Senate bill would divide 35 percent of the fines equally among Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. Sixty percent would go to a Gulf Coast Restoration Council, created by Congress, which would allocate it to repairing or offsetting the spill's direct impact. The remaining 5 percent would go to Gulf Coast research.</p><p>“By directing BP-penalty money back to the states that are dealing with the cleanup and restoration from this devastating spill, we help ensure that the Gulf Coast continues to thrive for decades to come,” Landrieu said in a prepared statement.</p><p>She urged the Senate to consider the bill “as soon as possible.”</p><p>U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry, a Republican who represents the Houma-Thibodaux area, co-sponsored a similar bill in the House that U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Metairie, filed earlier this year.</p><p>Landry said Wednesday's committee vote is a “great step in advancing much-needed coastal restoration for Louisiana.”</p><p>“It's common sense to allocate BP's penalties to help our environment and our economy recover,” he said. “I will continue to do all I can to advance this legislation in the House.”</p><p>Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph said the legislation has long way to go before the region can declare victory but said Wednesday's committee vote is a good start.</p><p>Staff Writer Nate Monroe can be reached at 448-7639 or at nate.monroe@dailycomet.com.</p>